Greater New Orleans

In this Nov. 12, 2010, file photo, Shelly Sterling sits with her husband, Donald Sterling, during the Los Angeles Clippers' NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons in Los Angeles. Only final arguments and a ruling remain in the trial to determine whether Sterling's estranged wife can sell the Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion. Lawyers for Sterling plan to argue Monday, July 28, 2014, that Shelly Sterling had no right to make the deal with Ballmer, even though Donald Sterling had given her written authority to pursue a sale. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
(Mark Terrill)

Las Vegas – Following the latest legal loss for outgoing Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling on Monday, NBA players and coaches here this week for the Team USA training camp looked ahead on Tuesday to a final resolution of the controversy that has swirled since April.

Sterling, whose bigoted remarks caused a firestorm resulting in a lifetime banishment by the NBA, lost his latest bid to halt the proposed sale of the Clippers for $200 million to Steve Ballmer, clearing the way for the team to change hands. "I think the whole world is happy that that saga is coming to an end. Right?" said Atlanta Hawks swingman Kyle Korver. "There isn't any person wanting that to drag on and wanting him to win. We're glad it came to a close, glad it ended how it did. And I think it's a great thing for the Clippers. It's a great thing for the NBA. And I think it's a great thing in life. People see that the world is changing and people are trying to do the right thing."

New Orleans Pelicans coach Monty Williams, accustomed to ownership uncertainty, said the apparent end of legal wrangling which has tied up the transfer of the team to Ballmer should be a relief.

"I think it's good for the league to just get past that," Williams said. "No matter how you slice it, if you're in that organization – and I've been through an ownership change, but nothing like that – but I'm sure it was hanging over their heads.

"To get past that, to me, is going to be something good for them. To know who your owner is going to be, to know where the checks are coming from and where the decisions are going to be made, that's a good thing. Because everything starts from the top." Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap, who attended college at Louisiana Tech, said he felt Monday's court ruling against Sterling was positive for everyone.

"I think it's a good move not just for that team, but for the NBA," Millsap said. "I think it's a global thing. It's a good move. The sooner the better. I feel confident they won't let this drag out any longer and resolve it by the time the season starts."

Reigning NBA most valuable player Kevin Durant said all the league's players stood firmly behind their brethren with the Clippers and everyone is happy with the outcome.

"It's done now, right? Close?" Durant said. "It's a touchy subject. We support our brothers over there with the Clippers. We support Adam Silver. So whatever happens I know it will be for the best interest of the Clippers and the league.

"It was a tough situation to handle. Not just for the Clippers, but for everybody in the league to hear those comments. It made you realize who you're really playing for. You're playing for your city. You're playing for your teammates. Hopefully this gets handled in the proper way."

Sterling was banished by Silver for life, and threatened with the loss of his team as a result of taped comments revealed by his girl friend in which he disparaged African-Americans.

His estranged wife, Shelly, negotiated the sale with Ballmer after having Sterling ruled mentally incompetent by doctors and could no longer handle his financial affairs.

Sterling is expected to continue legal efforts to stop the sale, but the NBA said on Monday that it looked forward to a speedy consummation of the sale.